Background: Pain is the common experience among post operative patients\nadmitted to the intensive care unit. Inadequate management can lead to undesired\ncomplications which can increase risk for morbidity and mortality.\nObjective: The aim of this study was to assess pain management and factors\nassociated with its severity among post surgical patients admitted in intensive\ncare unit at MNH.Method: A prospective study was conducted from October\n2017 to February 2018 involving a total of 123 post operative patients\naged 18 years and above admitted to the surgical and obstetric intensive care\nunits. Structured questionnaires were used to obtain the required perioperative\ninformation. Severity of pain was assessed by using the Numerical Rating\nScale (NRS). Data was analyzed using SPSS version 23.0. Frequency, percentages,\ntables and charts were used to summarize the study findings. Bivariate\nanalysis and multivariate logistic regression were done. P-value of <0.05 was\nconsidered significant. Results: The prevalence of severe post operative pain\nwithin 24 and 72 hours was 32.1% and 41.5% respectively. Pre operative use\nof analgesia (OR: 2.66, CI: 1.15 - 6.12, P value = 0.02), abdominal surgery\n(OR: 4.12 CI: 1.12 - 15.88, P value = 0.03) and thoracic surgeries (OR; 7.42,\nCI: 1.54 - 35.88, P value = 0.01) was significantly associated with severe pain.\nAge, sex, ASA class, duration of surgery, and level of education did not show\nsignificant association with pain severity. Opioids prescribed postoperatively\nwere pethidine (70.7%), morphine (11.4%) and fentanyl (11.4%). Other analgesics\nused were paracetamol (60.2%) and diclofenac (22%). Conclusion: The\nmagnitude of post operative pain was high. Pre operative uses of analgesia,\nabdominal and thoracic surgery were the factors associated with severe pain.
Loading....